Photo: BSS

LALMONIRHAT, May 8, 2025 (BSS) - Cattle markets in the district have gained momentum ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, the second-largest festival of the Muslims.

A large number of cows, goats, buffaloes and sheep have already been taken to the district's traditional Barobari Haat and other livestock markets.

After meeting the local demands, the district will also play an important role in meeting the needs of sacrificial animals in other regions of the country.

The weekly livestock markets in five upazilas of the northern district have now become the main points for buying and selling livestock.

These markets are usually held every week and play an important role in the local economy. The markets are Durakuti, Nawaber Hat (BDR Haat), Nayarhat, Sialkhwa, Chaparhat, Daikhawa, Barakhata and Barabari Haat.

Barobari Haat, one of the traditional cattle markets of the district, the market held twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The entire market was filled to the brim with cattle before 9 am on Wednesday. Although the price of cattle ranges from Taka 50,000 to 3,00,000, buyers are interested in medium-sized cattle.

Mohammad Ali, who came to buy cattle, said, "I came to the market a few days before Eid, because the price of cattle is relatively high in the run-up to Eid.

"Today, I bought a cow for Taka 80,000. The price seemed a bit high. There are a lot of cattle in the market, but because of the brokers, we have to buy it at a higher price."

A buyer named Swaib Ali said, "I bought a cow for Qurbani at Taka 72,000. Due to the economic downturn, the three of us bought the cow in parts."

Another buyer named Kamal Hossain said, "I bought a goat at Taka 12,000. There are a lot of goats in the market."

Abul Hossain, a farmer from Phulbari Upazila in Kurigram, said that he came to the market with four cows, of which three medium-sized cows were sold at a good price, but the big cow was not sold.

On the other hand, some buyers complained that they are having a hard time buying their favorite animals because the price of cows is a bit high.

Nazmul Islam of Panchagram Union said, "There are still a few days left for Eid, so I came to buy cows in advance. But the price seems a bit higher compared to the previous week."

Anisul Haque, a cattle trader from the same area, said, "I bought a small cow after a lot of research. If this cow is sold right before Eid, there is a possibility of some profit."

Ashraful Islam, a farmer from Barabari Union, said, "I brought three cows weighing 8 to 9 maunds, and I expected the price of each to go up to Taka 2,20,000. But no one is paying that price."

According to cattle trader Abul Hossain, "Buyers are more interested in medium-sized cows at the moment. Cows priced between Taka 70,000 and 100,000 are being sold more. Demand for large cows has decreased due to economic uncertainty."

Afsar Mia, a farmer from Sadar Upazila, said, "This year, the production cost of cows has increased significantly compared to last year."

Security measures have also been strengthened at the market. The authorities concerned have made necessary preparations for counterfeit note detection machines, smooth transportation, and law and order.

District Livestock Officer Dr. Md. Jahangir Alam said, "This time, most farmers have fattened their cows naturally. The use of hormones or injections has largely stopped. Still, a medical team is working in the field to ensure that no one sells sick or unhealthy cows."

The number of sacrificial animals in the district may be more than 230,000. Thousands of animals can be supplied outside the district to meet the needs of the other districts.

As Eid approaches, medium-sized cows have become the main focus of buying and selling in the cattle markets of Lalmonirhat compared to large cows.